Youth Service- Sermon & Prayer

(This is long... I apologize)
So, Jenn, Kathleen and I all came together to do a service while our minister Sean was away on vacation. We all chose our favourite verse and explained and discussed how it related to our religious experiences.

Theme Verse:
1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young but set an example for the believers in speech in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

My Sermon:
1 Chorinthians 16:13
“Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.”
This verse was printed on a rock given to me through Sunday School over eight years ago. That rock still remains on my bedside table and is read often. It has frown to represent my rock; my salvation and my beliefs. I know that this is not only influential toward myself but anyone who reads it. This verse stands out to me because when I was to receive my “rock”, I was not there so my mom accepted it on my behalf. Jennifer was also there and received a rock with a different verse. She tried to convince my mom to swap her rock with mine. My mom refused (Thanks Mom!). This verse was influential upon Jennifer’s beliefs as well, almost instantly. Hopefully, this verse will stick out in your mind as well.
I find that this verse is helpful most when I feel alone- it helps me to remember that I am not- God is always with me. He is constantly by my side giving me the strength to be courageous and strong in any aspect of my life.
“Stand firm in your faith.” While I am away at school, I live with five other students. One a Catholic, one an atheist, one an agnostic and two that have absolutely no idea (I apologize if this is incorrect, I was just trying to show the diversity among our religious beliefs, or nonreligious beliefs). It was such a challenge to debate with these intelligent individuals over the past two years yet also a joy. I began to understand their doubts, fears and their own beliefs. We discussed many aspects of religion such as death, the course of our lives, a higher power and whether our lives are pre-planned or if we created our own paths as we went along.
“Be courageous, be strong.” This part of the verse has the strongest impact on my life. I believe that it means you not only have to be strong for yourself but, more importantly be strong for others. Others that are experiencing hardships, doubts, and fears. My best friend and housemate was put on Academic Suspension from Brock University this past May. This means that for one year she will not be a student there because her grades did not meet the requirements, by one percent. This young lady is incredibly intelligent, she worked so hard every single day in her studies. We were all so shocked and she began to ask “Why me?” Now, this may seem unimportant but to twenty-year-old students, where school and each other are our entire lives, it was the end of the world. So, I did the only thing I thought would help; I prayed. I prayed, not that she would get back into Brock but that she would get back into Brock but that she would keep her faith and be strong enough to deal with whatever was placed in front of her. I also encouraged her to pray and keep her own faith intact. She is now attending Niagara College in the fall and will be returning to Brock University in the following year. She didn’t give up.
Now, another one of my roommates, Luisa is truly an inspiration to everyone she meets. She is the most optimistic individual I have ever met and she motivates me to be a better person everyday. Recently, her Uncle has taken a turn for the worst in his battle against cancer. When Luisa found out that he did not have much time left, she was devastated. And I remember telling her that even though I knew she didn’t believe in God that I would pray for her Uncle and her family. And she surprised me by saying that she had been and prays on a daily basis through meditation. Luisa told me that she believes that through meditation (and reiki?), you can cleanse your soul and that she didn’t know if it was God but believed there was someone up there. She continues to inspire me.

“Be watchful
Stand firm in your faith
Be courageous
Be strong
Let all that you do be done in love.”
1 Chorinthians 16:13-14

Prayer: (Jenn found this on the internet and everyone, including myself, thought it was both hilarious and interesting)

Person: Our father, who…
God: Yes?
Person: Don’t interrupt me! I’m praying.
God: But you called me.
Person: Called you? I didn’t call you. I was praying. Our Father who art in heaven…
God: There, you did it again.
Person: Did what?
God: Called me. You said, “Our Father who art in heaven.” Here I am. What’s on your mind?
Person: But I didn’t mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord’s Prayer. It makes me feel good, sort of like getting a job done.
God: Alright. Go on.
Person: Hallowed be thy name…
God: Hold it! What do you mean by that?
Person: By what?
God: By “hallowed be thy name?”
Person: It means…It means… Good grief! How should I know what it means? It’s just part of the prayer. (Pause) By the way, what does it mean?
God: It means honoured, holy, wonderful.
Person: Ah, that makes sense. I never thought about what hallowed meant before. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
God: Do you really mean that?
Person: Of course! Why not?
God: What are you going to do about it?
Person: Do? Nothing, I suppose. I just think it would be rather good if you got control of things down here the way you have up there.
God: Have I got control of you?
Person: Well, I go to church
God: That isn’t what I asked you. What about that bad temper? You’ve really got a problem there you know!
Person: Stop picking on me! I’m just as good as some of those hypocrites down at the church!
God: Excuse me, but I thought you were praying for my will to be done? It that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you, for example.
Person: Oh, alright! I guess I do have a few hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I probably could name some others.
God: So could I.
Person: I haven’t thought about it much until not, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I really would like to know how to be free.
God: Good! Now we’re getting somewhere! We’ll work together, you and I. Some real victories can be won! I’m proud of you!
Person: Look, Lord, I need to finish this up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does! Give us this day our daily bread.
God: You need to cut out the bread you’re a little overweight as it is!
Person: Hey! Wait a minute! What is this? Here I am doing my religious duty and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my faults.
God: Praying is a dangerous thing. You could end up changed, you know. That’s what I’m trying to bring across to you. You called, and here I am. It’s too late to stop now. Keep on praying. I’m interested in the next part o your prayer. (Pause) Well, go on!
Person: I’m scared to…
God: Scared of what?
Person: I know what you’ll say!
God: Try me and see.
Person: Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.
God: What about Peter Brown?
Person: See! I knew you would bring him up! Why, Lord he told lies about me, and she cheated me out of some money. I swear that I’ll get even with him.
God: But your prayer. What about your prayer?
Person: I didn’t man it.
God: Well, at least you’re honest! But it’s not much fun carrying around that load of bitterness inside, is it?
Person: No, but I’ll feel better as soon as I get even! Have I got some plans for old Peter!
God: You won’t feel any better. You’ll feel worse. Revenge isn’t sweet. Think of how unhappy you really are. But I’ll change all that.
Person: You will? How?
God: Forgive Peter. Then I’ll forgive you. Then the hate and will be Peter’s problem and not your’s. You may lose money, but you will have settled your heart.
Person: It doesn’t sound easy, but deep down, I know it would be worth the effort. Thank you, Lord, for helping me work through this. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory for ever and ever. AMEN.

P.S. Obviously I played the part of God;)